A Guilty Pleasure

Rod Stewart

Manchester Arena

June 9th 2013

Everyone has guilty pleasures in life and being a self professed rock chick people may find it strange that I even stepped through the door of Manchester Arena last night, but Rod Stewart has been wowing audiences longer than I have been alive, so when I was given the opportunity to check him out I jumped at it. (Although if anyone had asked I would have said I was going as hubby wanted to!) 

The night was started with a singer called Moya, who I had never heard of until last night.  Moya had a strong voice and sang some nice songs.  She was accompanied by a backing band who sounded great and really did her justice.  Unfortunately she wasn't my cup of tea although she put in a good performance.

Then Rod Stewart came on stage and stayed there for almost two hours and three costume changes.......  not bad going for a 68 year old! 

Rod started with a new song ('Can't Stop Me Now') from his current album and then proceeded to play a host of hits, old and new, including 'You Wear It Well', 'I Don't Want To Talk About It', 'Twisting The Night Away', 'First Cut Is The Deepest' and 'Maggie May'.

We were also treated to 'The Killing of Georgie', a song that was banned by the BBC in 1977 for being too controversial, as it tells the story of a homosexual man who was killed in New York City.

A tribute to the fallen solider Lee Rigby and the other veterans who have served both past and present was made with the beautiful song forever young, a song that gave me goose bumps from beginning to end.             

It is clear to see that Rod Stewart himself is still young at heart as during the show he shared his favourite YouTube clips with us on the big screen, and during the song Hot legs he kicked autographed footballs into the audience stating that each one had been personally signed by him.

His love of football showed throughout the performance as the face of the bass drum were painted with the Celtic crest and football highlights were projected onto the big screen during 'Rhythm of my Heart'

During one of the interludes a balloon in the nets above the auditorium burst (probably due to the heat) and we heard a startled Rod (slightly off mic) say 'What the F*** was that!'.  Another interlude saw Mr Stewart have a wardrobe malfunction as the belt that he was wearing did not fit properly.  His assistant came on to correct the belt situation as Rod apologised for the interruption, assured us that it was not staged and that he would make it up to us with an extra song at the end.

Throughout the night he was accompanied by a three backing singers, and a band consisting of not only the usual drummer, bassist and guitarists but also a harpist, violinist, a couple of saxophonists, a trumpeter and a trombonist.

After each song the title of the song was shown on the big screen at the back which was a brilliant idea and one that more bands should think about, as quite often you hear a song at a show and have no idea as to what it is.  (It would also make it easier to track down a song if you wish to add it to your record collection).

Finishing the first part of the performance with one of my personal favourites, 'Baby Jane', Rod left the stage and a buzzing crowd to get ready for the encore.  He then came back on and sang 'Sailing' before the big screen at the back proclaimed that it was time for some 'silliness', and he launched into 'Do Ya Think I'm Sexy' as balloons dropped from the ceiling of the arena.

 

The curtain then dropped before being raised again for the promised extra song.  Singing 'Stay With Me', he left the crowd on their feet and wondering where the time had gone.

Rod Stewart is one of those artists that no matter what age you are you know at least one of his songs whether you realise it or not.  My only complaint was that he didn't sing 'Handbags and Gladrags', and after seeing him live he will now be a pleasure rather than a guilty pleasure.